How to figure out any chord on the guitar.
The road map to chord structures. Part Two - Adding 7's to Triads. [Advanced Intermediate Lesson]
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Advanced Intermediate Lesson
Assuming you have read "Part One - Triads", this next lesson will outline adding "7's" to triad chords.
Adding 7's to Triads
Major 7 = I - III - V - VII (C, E, G and B)
Dominant 7 = I - III - V - vii (C, E, G and Bb)
Minor (dominant) 7 = I - iii - V - vii (C, Eb, G and Bb)
Augmented 7 = I - III - #V - vii (C, E, G# and Bb)
Diminished 7 = I - iii - v - bvii [bvii = double flatted 7th] (C, Eb, Gb and Bbb)
Half-Diminished 7 = I - iii - v - vii [also called a minor 7b5] (C, Eb, Gb and Bb)
Suspended 7 = I - IV - V - vii (C, F, G and Bb)
C (major) 7 (CΔ)
[Δ = Delta or Major 7]
In this illustration, we can see the four notes (C, E, G and B) needed to make a C major 7 chord.
This illustration shows the Roman numeral placements for each note in the C Δ chord. C = I, E = III, G = V and B - VII.
C (dominant) 7 (C7)
In this illustration, we can see the four notes (C, E, G and Bb) needed to make a C 7 chord.
This illustration shows the Roman numeral placements for each note in the C 7 chord. C = I, E = III, G = V and Bb - vii.
C minor 7 (Cm7)
In this illustration, we can see the four notes (C, Eb, G and Bb) needed to make a Cm7 chord.
This illustration shows the Roman numeral placements for each note in the Cm7 chord. C = I, Eb = iii, G = V and Bb - vii.
C augmented 7 (C+7)
In this illustration, we can see the four notes (C, E, G# and Bb) needed to make a C+7 chord.
This illustration shows the Roman numeral placements for each note in the C+7 chord. C = I, E = III, G# = #V and Bb - vii.
C diminished 7 (C°7)
In this illustration, we can see the four notes (C, Eb, Gb and Bbb) needed to make a C°7 chord.
This illustration shows the Roman numeral placements for each note in the C°7 chord. C = I, Eb = iii, Gb = v and Bbb - bvii.
C half-diminished 7 (Cø7)
In this illustration, we can see the four notes (C, Eb, Gb and Bb) needed to make a Cø7 chord.
This illustration shows the Roman numeral placements for each note in the Cø7 chord. C = I, Eb = iii, Gb = v and Bb - vii.
C 7 suspended (C7sus)
In this illustration, we can see the four notes (C, F, G and Bb) needed to make a C7sus chord.
This illustration shows the Roman numeral placements for each note in the C7sus chord. C = I, F = IV, G = V and Bb - vii.
So, in each of these above examples, you can see the six types of “7th chords” available in the key of “C”. When trying to find these chords in other keys, the shapes will change, but the formulas stay the same.
Remember the following nomenclatures in music:
“Δ” means Major 7. - “7” means dominant 7. - “m7” means minor 7.
“+7” means augmented 7. - “°7” means diminished 7.
"ø7" means half-diminished 7. - “7sus” means suspended 7.